United States AttorneyEastern District of California

Drug Dealer Who Killed Customer in Self Defense Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Prison for Drug Charge

FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced Fernando Figueroa, 39, of Fresno, to 12 years and seven months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney, Benjamin B. Wagner announced. Figueroa is a previously convicted felon and was sentenced under the guidelines of the Armed Career Criminal Act.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fresno Police Department. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative that brings together federal, state and local law enforcement to combat gun and gang violence. United States Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, on January 28, 2012, three men came to Figueroa's apartment to buy 1/8 ounce of methamphetamine. Figueroa claimed that, as he was preparing to provide the methamphetamine, two of the men began punching and kicking him. Figueroa pulled a gun from his waistband and fired it once, striking and killing one of the men.

When police searched Figueroa’s apartment, they found a Ruger, Model Security Six, .357-caliber revolver loaded with six rounds of Fiocchi .357-caliber ammunition in the apartment (not the gun used in the shooting), approximately 3.56 grams of methamphetamine, pay/owe sheets, and packaging material.

“This is another outstanding example of ATF and the Fresno Police Department working together to combat armed drug trafficking and violent gun crime in the City of Fresno,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Riehl.